“And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to Himself through Christ. And God has given us the task of reconciling people to Him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And He gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.”— 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Here is a bit of history which challenges me to bring my genuine devotion to God and to the work God has called me to do.

When Robert Louis Stevenson, the novelist, was dying in Samoa, he was desperate to finish the novel on which he was working. Due to the rapid progression of his sickness, he had lost his power to speak.

As he sat in his home, weeping over his condition, a thought came to him as to how he could continue his work.He commenced his study of sign language and began to dictate his work to his stepdaughter.In a short time the work was completed and Stevenson’s desperation had vanished.

What a tremendous effort he gave so that a novel might be finished! The point of challenge

for me (and I hope for you as well) is how much effort do we make when compared to what

Stevenson did.

How far are we willing to go to share the story of Jesus Christ and His love? Do we approach

obstaclesand hardships as though they are the “end of the trail?” Do we give in…give up…give

out… too easily? How far are we really willing to go…to finish?

What is at stake for us is not popularity or success.Acclaim and accomplishment are but

wisps of smoke that vanish as quickly as they come. What is at stake is the eternal destiny of

the souls of men. Without the gospel, men perish in their sins.Without Jesus men, women,

boys and girls are doomed to a hopeless eternity, separated from God!

At the risk of sounding callous and unloving, if we don’t tell, they will go to Hell! This is a life

and death issue for me…for us! So, how far are wewilling to go…to finish?